Chapter 3
Hi, A Little Tardy On The Timing,
Three Weeks and counting, well exactly 28 days since landing back in Canada. So I guess that I had better say Four Weeks. I suppose that I have skipped a few days. Life is going along well and I am one year wiser, but not one year older.
Most of you know that my birthday passed this week. I have had many moments to capture. First, I spent the two days before my birthday in Toronto with Rachel. She had a whole day planned for me which included a stop at a cafe famous for pies. Along with a great cup of coffee, we shared a piece of Wild Canadian Blueberry Pie. This was at the very popular "Wanda's Pie In The Sky”. This shop is part of the Kensington Market area in the city, so many trendy casual and artistic cafes and restaurants and shops line the streets. The people walking the streets there seem to be the artistic types, the 'back-to-earth" types, and the city savvy types. And then there were us, whatever type that might be? Following this we walked many more kilometres through Little Italy and came upon the Asics Running Store. My birthday present, a new pair of runners. By chance we were served by a very friendly and helpful young man. It's not usual here to find retail staff that display qualities of the Japanese spirit of service and hospitality. This guy did, and buying shoes from him was very comfortable. Up next was the Indian restaurant for lunch. Rachel checked out one of the most popular and trendy Indian restaurants in Toronto, and there we ate. Really delicious food, not too spicy, but bursting with flavour. We filled the day in with walking and more walking, never once getting on any public transportation.
The next two days surrounding my special day were spent at my sister's house. Equally, she celebrated my day with going to the gym, eating a lobster dinner at her house, having coffee and a sweet down by the river, and watching a movie together. And again going on foot was our mode of transportation. The gym experience this week was called "Physiques Class". No aerobic portion to the fifty minute class but don't be fooled by that. I am still sore, many days later! My exercise for years has been aerobic based with cycling, running, and swimming. Getting the old heart rate up was the goal. Oh boy, this was not the case here. Working every muscle in my body that had lay dormant for years was the aim and thus, muscles unknown to me were shaking and vibrating. Let's not talk about that as I am reminded still with every movement. In the afternoon we went down to the riverside and shared coffee time consuming a homemade cookie and muffin from the healthy, nutritious, natural foods shop. The riverside is my sister's "office' in the summertime. Finally in the evening we watched the movie, “Beautiful Boy”, one I had missed seeing in Japan in my last few weeks. All Good❗️
The lobster dinner was the highlight of the day. Two big beautiful (?) Canadian lobsters were dropped into the boiling water, and a few minutes later, they were sitting on our plates in the dining room. I love the Atlantic lobsters served here, they are so big, flavourful, and meaty. Picture Ise Ebi, and start from there. I have often discussed with my students in the past, this is one food that is tastier in Canada. Sorry Ise Ebi . The lobster had to be cracked and then pulled from the tail and the legs, something like eating crab. But the rewards are more meat, with less work. Dip this into melted butter and savour the taste. She served roasted fresh asparagus, and the house salad as we call it at her place, along with the lobster. Every single night there is a salad served there that exceeds in taste and nutrition, salads anywhere. It's like a bowl of health. To offset this intake we had a piece of homemade caramel and banana pie baked specially for me. Happy 29th birthday once again, another year wiser, not older, I hope.
The Toronto news, well as you all know by now, The Toronto Raptors brought home the NBA championship! Even the short lived shooting downtown injuring four people could not dampen the spirits of the revellers watching the homecoming parade with the NBA team. A short pause and some confusion during the festivities, and the party continued. Toronto was on fire with excitement.
The weather here in June is just about perfect. The high temperatures are in the low to mid twenties, with little humidity, gentle breezes, and clear skies. There is a reason that North Americans have always referred to the June Bride. It is one of the most beautiful months to get married in. Everything is so vibrantly green and fresh, and flowers are bursting forth in colour and scent all over the place. My favourite one is the lilac bush. It is purple and you can't miss the scent that fills the air as you walk by. I am sorry to all of you experiencing the not so loved Rainy Season back in Japan at this time. How is it going this year?
One last informative tidbit. We were out walking the other day and came upon a bicycle shop. Guess what? I found three possibilities to replace my beloved Japanese Mama Chari. These three bikes were along the same line as my bike in Japan but with a little more tech. I test rode one of them, and have fallen in love with it. So now I can stop trying to arrange for my bicycle to be shipped from Japan as the price of this one is about the same as shipping. But now I get a brand new bike out of the deal❗️I miss my cycling, and was so delighted to get back on two wheels if even for a short test ride. Soon I will purchase it.
I will send this last Update personally, but next week I will simply include it as part of my website. So, sorry if I have "dropped in" to anyone's mailbox unappreciated. My lessons are going well, adding one or two each week to my schedule. My on-line lessons keep me in touch with my Japanese life which I hold so close to my heart. And I can share with many my newly found Canadian life. I love this exchange. Until next time, keep smiling!
Take care,
Rosemary